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The last few weeks have been possibly the coldest on Earth right? Ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration – but they’ve been pretty close! If you’re the sort of person who is always leaving the house without their gloves because you’ve left them in your other coat, you might be interested in our latest ‘how to’ guide, which is going to tell you how to make your own mittens using products available in the Abakhan range.

A lot of gloves and mittens available in high street stores just don’t appeal to consumers. In most cases, shoppers go in looking for a new pair and leave with a product that they don’t really like purely because it’s too cold to go without! By making your own out of stylish fabric you can personalise your hand wear to match your tastes, something you can’t do when buying from the high street.

What You Need

• Fabric

• Needle and Thread/Sewing Machine

• Pins

• Marker Pen

• Paper and Tracing Paper

What to Do

1. Draw around your hand onto a piece of paper and then use the drawing to create a neat, tidy template on a second sheet. Ensure that the template is slightly bigger than your hand to ensure that you can get the mitten on – this will be the size of the final product.

2. Cut out the template and use it to make a second template from another piece.

3. Lay out your chosen fabric and place the two templates on top. Line up the bottom of the templates with the bottom of the material and pin them in place for extra stability while you work.

4. Cut the fabric 1-2cm around the outside of the template, giving you the material you need to sew the edges together afterwards.

5. Repeat the process so you have to left hands and two rights.

6. Sew both pairs of glove shapes together using a sewing machine or a very small backstitch. Use the paper template as a guide and then cut any excess material 1-2mm away from the stitching.

You should then have your own pair of mittens to keep your hands toasty on those cold winter days! To get all your materials, visit your local Abakhan store or contact us to find out more information about any of our products.

Scarves are a must-have accessory and look great at any time of year. In winter they act as an extra layer of warmth, while the thinner versions add style to an outfit in the summer. The only drawback is because they are so in-demand and feature prominently in the “latest style” sections of the glossy magazines, the prices can be quite high. To combat this, we’re going to tell you how to knit your own scarf for a fraction of the high street price.

To help you to make your own scarf, we’ve come up with a simple guide using products available in the Abakhan range, ensuring that your project remains both stylish and affordable.

What You Need:

1. Yarn – ideally two or three colours to make an elaborate scarf, or just the one colour if you prefer the toned-down style. Thicker yarn will make for a quicker process and give you more warmth, whereas a thinner yarn is ideal for the style-over-warmth option.

2. Knitting needles – choose the size that most suits your knitting style and hand size. Obviously you don’t want anything you can’t handle and manoeuvre easily otherwise it will complicate the process unnecessarily. Thicker needles will help to speed up the process in association with a thick yarn.

3. Yarn needle – enabling you to thread your yarn through

4. Scissors – to cut the yarn to length and chop off any irreparable mistakes

What To Do:

1. Cast on ten stitches using your first coloured yarn. Knit for twelve rows. At this point you can either change to a second colour or continue with the one you’re using depending on what style you prefer.

2. If you’re going for a second colour, cut the yarn at this point leaving a 6-inch end. If not, skip this step and continue knitting until you reach your desired length.

3. Add a second colour of yarn to the first and start knitting. Hold the first six inches of the new yarn and the end of the first and do about five stitches.

4. At this point you should weave the loose ends into the pattern with a tapestry needle. Knit twelve rows with the second yarn.

5. If you choose, add your third colour and repeat the process.

6. Continue to do so until your scarf reaches your desired length and cast off your stitches.

7. At this stage, you should be left with your brand new hand-made scarf! Go out and make a statement!

To find the materials used in the making of this scarf, visit the dedicated knitting section of the Abakhan website or call in to one of our stores. Should you have any questions about the products in our range, you can contact us by calling your local branch or 01745 562133, or leave us an online message and we’ll respond to you as soon as possible.

We’re approaching the period where many homeowners begin to think about their spring-cleaning and the improvements they’re going to make to the rooms in the homes. A lot of people begin their renovations by purchasing new furniture or cushions – which can be a very costly process; leaving no money to purchase new curtains meaning you have to live with the tatty drapes that have been up for years.

But worry not, there is a very easily solution if this sounds like a problem you’re facing. Improving your curtains is something that anybody with a little bit of embroidery experience can do, and here’s how.

The first thing you could do if you’re repairing a part of your worn out curtains is to cut away the affected material and find a new piece of fabric to replace it with. This can be in any style you wish, not necessarily the same colour or design as the rest of your curtains. Attaching the new piece on will inevitably leave a join line, but you could decorate this with another piece of fabric to act as an eye-catcher, or use accessories such as sequins to cover the join and add extra glam to your drapes.

If you’re just after a revamp to inject some new life into your curtains, try sewing on some ribbon or thin strips of fabric to create your own design reflecting your tastes and making your old curtains fit with the new style you may have given your room.

Alternatively you can spruce up your existing curtains by adding ribbons or thin strips of fabric to each curtain ring that attract the eye of people in the room when they’re drawn. The extra sparkle and style will make your ageing curtains look brand new and right up with the current trends.

Or you could go with the “hippy” look and try dyeing them – provided they’re made of 100% cotton of course! Similarly you could try adding iron or sew on patterns and designs that will look fantastic when you shut the world out at night.

For some great fabrics and a range of accessories to help transform your curtains, visit your local Abakhan branch or browse our website. Should you have any questions about our products, contact your nearest store.

Have the pillows in your home seen better days? Why not give them a new lease of life! It’s much easier than you think!

What you will need:

Pillow

Fabric

Thread

Dressmakers chalk

Scissors

Pins

Sewing Machine (Although you can hand-sew if you wish)

How to:

First, you will need to measure the pillow you want to cover. Take this measurement and add a 3cm seam allowance to each side.

Lay your chosen fabric out and measure and mark out the size of fabric you require with dressmakers chalk. Do this for each side, and then cut out your fabric.

Place your two pieces of fabric on top of each other, with the patterned sides face to face and pin together leaving a 1.5cm gap from the edge of the fabric on all four sides.

When you have pinned the fabric together tack the two pieces together using large runs to make it easy to remove later.

Using your sewing machine sew three sides up, leaving one side open.

Remove your tacking thread and turn the pillow case right side out.

Push your pillow into the pillow case through the open side.

Fold in your seam allowance on the remaining open side and hand stich together and you have your quick and easy pillow case!

It’s so easy to improve your home with a few pillows strewn around. You can embellish your pillow cases with buttons, lace and so much more. You can also use a zip fastening or an overlapped opening to allow removal of the pillow insert.

Happy crafting!

So, you’re interested in dressmaking, but you are a complete beginner. Don’t worry, everyone has to start somewhere. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of basic tips for trying your hand at dressmaking, ranging from the tools you will need to taking the correct measurements.

Tools of the trade

Probably the most important place to start when dressmaking is your tools. What exactly do you need? Collect these basic tools, pop them in a sewing box and you can’t go wrong.

Dressmakers pins

Tape measure

Sewing needles

Dressmaking scissors

Tailor’s chalk

Thread

You can start off hand sewing, afterall, this is how people started dressmaking, but a sewing machine will make your dressmaking faster and easier in the long run.

Choosing a sewing machine

Choosing a sewing machine isn’t as daunting as it sounds; for dressmaking a basic sewing machine will suffice. All sewing machines are electronic, generally using a single motor, which is perfect for a beginner. As you become a more advanced dressmaker you may want to invest in a computerised sewing machine.

When choosing your first sewing machine consider a machine that offers different stitching options as well as a selection of foot attachments (to allow basic tasks including inserting zips.)

Patterns

Start with a pattern, this way you will have something to work towards.

To begin with, use patterns that are labeled as ‘easy’ – dresses with no waistline or sleeves are the easiest.

As well as giving you something to work towards, a pattern will indicate how much fabric will be needed as well as giving you an idea of the best fabric to use.

It’s important to take your measurements and buy a pattern based on these measurements.

Measurements

When dressmaking, taking the correct measurements is critical. Follow our quick and easy guide to ensure you collect the right measurements.

Waist – using your tape measure, measure your natural waistline – hold the tape so it fits snugly around your waist – but not tight.

Hips – measure the fullest part of your hips all the way around your body.

Bust – measure around the fullest part of your bust - this is one measurement. Then measure around the body just above the bust, across the back and under the arms - this is your second bust measurement.

Back to waist – measure from the most prominent bone at the top of your neck down to your natural waist.

Height – make sure you stand straight!

Fabrics

With thousands of fabrics to choose from, it can sometimes be difficult making a decision. Take into consideration how the fabric you are using feels against your skin – is it comfortable? Below, we have listed some of the main fabric options:

Cotton – incredibly versatile, cotton can be used to create almost anything and is available in varying weights.

Cotton Jersey – generally used to make t-shirts, cotton jersey is a stretchy and comfortable fabric.

Wool – more often than not wool will need to be dry-cleaned. Can be expensive and is often used to make suits and coats.

Linen – often blended with cotton and is perfect for summer clothing.

Silk – a luxury fabric, often expensive and quite difficult to sew with.

Polyester and polycotton – synthetic fabrics that are lightweight and quite cheap to buy.

A top tip for dressmaking is to wash your fabric before you begin – this will ensure that your final creation doesn’t shrink during its first wash.

Dressmaking is a great way to update your wardrobe, without breaking the bank. From taster dressmaking courses to advanced dressmaking classes, Abakhan covers all your dressmaking educational needs, click here to view our latest workshops and classes.

I attended the Curtain 1 Workshop today, delivered by Isobel. I just wanted to say how much I & my sister enjoyed the day. The course was informative and fun. Isobel is a real treasure, she was patient whilst explaining the techniques and had lots of tips that will improve our sewing. The cost of the course was worth every penny. We will certainly be booking further courses. All in all, a great day!

C Francis, 29th March 2012

Many thanks for my yarn order which arrived safely. Many thanks also for your superb superfast delivery service. Will be back soon. Very best wishes.

Malcolm, 10 April 2012

My order has just been delivered, thank you for very quick service. I`m very pleased with the fabrics.

Jill, 16th April 2012

Every dressmaker has to start somewhere; all you need is a little creativity and some fabric. Are you sick of stepping out of the house only to find that 7 other people are wearing exactly the same outfit as you? Well, we have the solution; make your own! Why spend a fortune on one-of-a-kind pieces when you can make them yourself, specific to your own measurements. If you’re interested in learning how to make your own clothes, but have no idea where to start then try one of our dressmaking workshops.

A Taster in Dressmaking

If you’re a complete beginner looking to see if dressmaking is for you, then this 1-hour taster session is perfect! Take a test drive through dressmaking by constructing an apron, and the best part? All materials are included!

Advanced Dressmaking

Ideal for an advanced sewer looking to shift up a gear, if you are familiar with patterns and can work independently, this is the workshop for you. This workshop is designed to aid you with the more difficult tasks of dressmaking but also allow you to work on your creations independently, away from the class. You will be designing and creating a fitted jacket and we will provide a choice of materials in different colours.

Why not really delve even further into your creative side with a Corsetry workshop?

This 3-day course will guide you through the important steps of corset making with a hands-on approach – using lacing, binding, boning, seams, eyeleting, cutting and fitting over 3 days you will create a corset specific to your own measurements. This course will provide a starter pack, patterns and notes, but you may need to purchase additional items during the course.

Check out our workshops section for classes close to you and don’t forget to tweet any of your new creations at @AbakhanFabrics – we’d love to see them

Believe it or not, summer is here and if/when it actually stops raining it will be the perfect time to venture outdoors and enjoy some messy craft time with your children.

There are so many things you can enjoy from the comfort of your back garden; most of which are very low cost or even free!

Here are five of our top outdoor crafting tips for you and your family to enjoy this summer:

Bird Cake

To make these easy bird feeders, you will need the following:

Bird seed; raisins; peanuts; grated cheese; solid cooking fat; yoghurt pots; string; mixing bowl; scissors.

Carefully make a small hole in the bottom of a yoghurt pot. Thread string through the hole and tie a knot on the inside. Leave enough string so you can tie the pot to a tree or bird table.

Allow the cooking fat to warm to room temperature, cut into small pieces and put into a mixing bowl.

Add all the other remaining ingredients to the bowl and squash them together with your hands – your kids will LOVE this bit! Keep going until it all holds together.

Fill the pots with the mixture and leave to harden in the fridge for an hour or so.

Hang your bird cakes then stand somewhere discreet to watch them enjoy their feast. Ask your children to draw pretty pictures of the birds that visit, using colourful pens.

Chalking

If your kids love making a mess, but don’t like to clear up afterwards, this is the perfect activity for them.

Purchase some brightly coloured chalks and let your children decorate every inch of your garden – from fences, to patios and walls. The results will be so fun and colourful and this will keep your children busy for hours. The rain (or a good sprinkling with a hosepipe) will wash it all away afterwards, leaving a blank canvas for next time.

Art Bomb!

This is crafting at its scientific best! Grab some large sheets of paper and lay them on the ground. Next, place one spoonful of baking soda in the centre of some toilet paper, fold it up and place it in the corner of a sealable sandwich bag. Fill a third of a cup with vinegar and mix with a spoon of paint (the brighter, the better) – pour this mixture into the opposite corner of the sandwich bag and seal quickly (!!) Shake your bag slightly and place it onto your paper, then stand back! Your sandwich bag will inflate and then pop, leaving your masterpiece behind.

Rock Painting

Spend time searching for pretty pebbles in your garden, or collect a few during your next visit to the beach. They need to be roughly hand-sizes and smooth.

Then get out the paints and allow your children to decorate them anyway they wish. From little rainbow handprints, to writing their name in bright colours, let them paint to their hearts content.

Once the paints are dry, paint them with a clear varnish to preserve the moment forever. You could even add a date to the back of the stone, but only if there’s any room left!

Make Play dough

All kids (and a fair few adults) love play dough. The beauty of playing with it outside is that you won’t find yourself picking bits of neon paste from the carpet for several days afterwards!

Play dough is an easy kids crowd-pleaser that can be whipped up with ingredients from your store cupboard. I find the following recipe best:

3 cups of flour

1.5 cups of salt

6 tsp cream of tartar

3 tbsp oil

3 cups of water

Food colouring (optional)

Vanilla or peppermint essence (optional)

Put all ingredients into a large, sturdy saucepan. Stir continuously over a medium heat until dough forms. Remove from the pan and knead until the consistency is play-dough like. Leave to cool before giving it to the kids.